Who should get to vote? Plans for 70,000 Israelis abroad to fly home for election sparks debate

A debate has emerged in Israel regarding plans by the Fly&Vote initiative to help up to 70,000 Israelis living abroad return to vote in the October 27 election. Makor Rishon editor-in-chief Kalman Libeskind sparked the controversy, arguing that Israelis who have permanently moved abroad should not decide the country's future. He stated, "Whoever doesn't live here shouldn't decide how we live here," calling the effort an "immoral project."

• Opposition MKs, including Yesh Atid's Vladimir Beliak and Democrats' Naama Lazimi, criticized Libeskind, accusing him of a double standard and hypocrisy. Beliak pointed to past instances where Haredi Israelis abroad were encouraged to vote, while Lazimi highlighted that many Israelis abroad serve in the IDF reserves.
• The argument also played out within Kan Radio, where correspondent Dov Gil-Har challenged Libeskind, who clarified his criticism was aimed at permanent emigrants, not those temporarily abroad.
• The debate is significant because 70,000 potential voters could influence the election's outcome, with critics emphasizing that citizenship, military service, and family ties remain for many Israelis living overseas.